Outstanding Individual—Lody Black, Apprentice

• Clay Center Service Center
• Over 265 hours donated
• Assisted with conservation planning and implementation
• Helped district with multiple educational events

Lody was also the recipient of the 2015 Individual National Earth Team Award.

Outstanding Group—Seward County Farm Education Day Group

• Volunteers from 5 different agencies and organizations gave presentations in 9 stations, including 6 production animal stations
• Over 1,100 Pre-K through 1st grade students attended
• Exposed students to the benefits of agriculture

Outstanding District—Miami County

• Conservation District Board members and individual volunteers contributed time to organize the Earth Festival for 5th graders
• Earth Team volunteers helped Conservation District Board members in joint projects with partners

Outstanding Partnership—Parsons Earth Day Event

• Kansas Farm Bureau County Boards in Labette, Neosho, Crawford, Wilson and Montgomery Counties and the conservation districts collectively put together a field day to emphasize the agricultural aspect of Earth Day for fourth graders

Outstanding Field Office—Smith Center Field Office

• Promoted and carried out the Feds Feed Families initiative with use of off-duty service center employee volunteers collecting over 1,364 pounds of food and other items needed for local food pantries and engaged other businesses in the community

Outstanding NRCS Employee—Gerald Gray

• Strong advocate of Earth Team program promoting the use of volunteers as active members of the “Conservation Team”
• Actively recruited and trained apprentice Lody Black
• Motivates and inspires others to volunteer by offering his resources, encouragement, and example

Outstanding Volunteer Coordinator—Joyce Wade

• As the past Area 3 Earth Team Volunteer Coordinator, Joyce successfully administered the Earth Team program in 24 counties consisting of  19 field offices and 1 area office
• Assisted the Erie High School in creating a nature trail and volunteers in her community “People’s Garden”
• Increased volunteer usage in the area and recruited two apprentices from area schools

Joyce also received the National Award for Outstanding Volunteer Coordinator.

Outstanding District Manager—Stephanie Royer

• Organized and carried out a “Women on the Farm” project in Rush, Pawnee, and Barton County
• Enhanced partnerships and utilized volunteers 
• Instrumental in bringing the Soil Tunnel Trailer to Western Kansas